The Bucs will likely need two inside linebackers this April — and one potential option already has strong NFL bloodlines.

Seeing the last name Trotter might remind you of former NFL linebacker Jeremiah Trotter. The elder Trotter played 11 seasons in the league, with four Pro Bowl selections and an All-Pro selection to his name. After carrying the torch, he has since passed it down to his sons. Jeremiah Trotter Jr. was a fifth-round pick by the Eagles in 2024, and his little brother Josiah Trotter is even more highly regarded.

Projected to be a Day 2 pick, the former Missouri linebacker possesses a lot of upside and was someone whom Pewter Report’s Josh Queipo recently provided a comprehensive scouting report on. Trotter discussed the interesting connections he has to the Bucs at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine on Wednesday.

Josiah Trotter Is The Latest Linebacker In A “Family Business”

As mentioned above, being an NFL linebacker is in Josiah Trotter’s blood.

“It’s a family business,” Trotter said. “Just growing up, my dad coming through this, my brother, watching him. It is fun being able to carry that legacy, carry that last name.”

Trotter spent only two seasons playing college football and enters this draft cycle as just a 20-year-old. While extremely young, that does not mean he is unprepared for taking another big leap. He spent the 2024 season at West Virginia before transferring to Missouri in 2025, and that experience has aided him in his development.

Missouri ILB Josiah Trotter – Photo by: IMAGN Images

“You want to be able to go somewhere where it’s going to prepare you for the NFL, play NFL-caliber players,” Trotter said. “I felt that was the place I could play on the national stage. Play some really big games and prepare me for the playstyle. I feel like they did a good job with not only preparing me but also seeing the players and different types of schemes I would see.”

After recording 92 tackles, four tackles for loss, an interception, and half a sack for the Mountaineers as a freshman, his time with the Tigers as a sophomore saw him showcase a bit more tenacity in the backfield. Trotter recorded 84 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, and two sacks last season. There is no getting around the fact he remains a bit rough around the edges, but the raw talent is there.

As that relates to the Bucs, Trotter is a tantalizing player for a team that has a dire need at the position. Lavonte David remains undecided about his playing future, while veterans Deion Jones and Anthony Walker Jr. are free agents and unlikely to return.

That leaves just SirVocea Dennis and Nick Jackson signed for next season at a position of crucial importance in bringing Todd Bowles’ defensive vision to life. Now, it is difficult to imagine Trotter hitting the ground running in Week 1, but all the tools are there to draft and develop him into a quality starting linebacker.

Currently slated to go between rounds two and four, here is what Josh Queipo had to say about his game:

Josiah Trotter profiles as a down-hill middle linebacker who will be a value-add rushing the passer. But I’m not sure he can be that year one. He has a long way to go as a processor and will need time to learn the mental speed of the NFL.

As for his fit in the Bucs’ system, his archetype would work in a Todd Bowles mug-and-drop defense, but the risk involved with that projection would make him a Day 3 bet for me. Yet Trotter is projected to be a Day 2 selection.

There is some risk, but the reward is that his best football is only ahead of him.

Missouri ILB Josiah Trotter – Photo by: IMAGN Images

“Being 20 years old, I feel like I’m very mature at my age,” Trotter said. “I have high upside, being 20 years old I feel like my best ball is ahead of me. Coming in really young and just having people ahead of me like my brother and my dad. They helped me along the way through college and to the NFL.”

At 6-foot-2 and 237 pounds, he is a twitchy, thumping linebacker with plenty of pass rushing chops.

“From a young age, I always wanted to be able to pass rush. To have that part of my game,” he said. “Whether it’s blitzing, pass rushing on guards or centers, or off the edge. That aspect of my game I really take pride in — I want to be the dude. Not just the dude, but dominate that side of it, too.”

It might take time, but Trotter is more than willing to take time to grow into whatever role is waiting for him at the next level.

“Whatever role you have, execute and dominate that role the best you can so that role may grow.”

It Helps Josiah Trotter’s Case That He Has Close Ties To Bucs Coaching Staff

Josiah Trotter is not just any linebacker prospect. Not only does Trotter’s age work in his favor in terms of potential, but he also has unique connections to the Bucs defensive coaching staff, as he mentioned to Pewter Report.

Missouri ILB Josiah Trotter – Photo by: IMAGN Images – Kirby Lee

“Knowing coach Mike Caldwell, coach [Todd] Bowles,” he said. “I went to a Clemson camp with his son [Troy Bowles]. Kind of knowing coach Bowles for a really long time, his family. Coach Caldwell for a really long time [coaching] my dad with the Eagles. It would mean a lot, knowing my dad played there. Having some connections already there, it would be an amazing opportunity.”

Caldwell was a defensive quality control coach for the Eagles in 2009, Jeremiah Trotter’s last season in the league. Before his second stint in Philadelphia, Trotter spent a year in Tampa Bay in 2007 alongside Derrick Brooks and Barrett Ruud.

Josiah Trotter is a name to know in a deep linebacker class, and if the Bucs are ready to bet on traits over polish, Trotter could be their guy.